Baby Ringer Onesie {Free PDF Pattern}

 Who is sewing a lot for babies?? I know I am. Seriously the girl went from wearing the same newborn clothing for the first 4 months of her life to suddenly out growing everything. So I started making onesies. They are surprisingly easy to make, come together really quick and there are some AMAZING knit prints out there that make adorable one of a kind onesies. (and really what is better than a baby in comfy knits?

While I was making up the onesies with a cute little kimono style ringer sleeve, I thought you know I might as well just share the pattern. Part of what makes these onesies so easy is that there is no tiny sleeve setting, all the edges are finished with rib knit, and you can make the whole thing with a sewing machine, nothing fancy here (although I do love a serger with knits)

So here is the Free pattern:
Baby Ringer Onesie Pattern Sizes 3m 6m and 9m
(the first page is a little fuzzy but the pattern should be fine)

You will need:
1/2 yard knit
***I find the best knits (like the ones used above) at Girl Charlee
If you are brand new to knits, go with a medium weight cotton knit or cotton lycra, they are really easy to work with, nice and sturdy so they don’t go all flimsy on you and get all wonky. If you are more experienced with knits, go for any knit as the body, they all work great.
1/4 yard Rib Knit
3 (size 16) Snaps (and snap tool)
Small scrap of interfacing (the sturdy stuff is best)
Matching thread
***Using thread that matches your ribbing is going to provide the best looking result.
Knit sewing needle. (totally recommended for best results)

Before you start:
The pattern has not been tested by anyone other than myself for my baby. She is currently wearing the 6m size. She is 6m old, 15 pounds and has a 16″ head circumference. The fit is great on her with a little room to grow. If your baby has chubby arms or legs you may want to add extra room, or longer ribbing so it won’t be as tight,  it fits my daughter perfectly but she is not super chubby.

A couple notes. I have a few comments that the ribbing is too short, or it won’t stretch enough or that it makes too small of openings. Different fabric stretches differently. True ribbing has a lot of stretch and it is designed for that purpose.  Regardless of the pattern if the ribbing piece can not stretch over your child’s head before you sew it to the neck then the shirt will also not fit. Same with the neckline of the shirt, if it doesn’t fit before you sew the ribbing on then it won’t fit after. The ribbing has to be shorter than the neck opening, and then stretched to fit. If you don’t stretch it (and I mean really stretch) then it will lay all wonky and wavy.

Ok let’s begin. Cut your pieces out. Follow the direction of stretch and all the markings on the pattern. (it should look like so)

We will start by preparing the ribbings. You will fold all the ribbing pieces the same way, basically folding them like bias tape. Fold them all in half the long ways, then fold the edges in toward the middle. Press Press Press. Using a little steam really helps to get the creases in there. Again do this for all the ribbing pieces, doing it at the beginning will save you from doing it each time you need them.

Now with the front and back right sides together sew along ONE shoulder. Using my sewing machine I do sew with a small zig-zag stitch so that the seam has some stretch. You can also use a stretch seam if you have the stretch seam foot, or a straight stitch if needed.

Open the top up and press flat.  Mark the center front and center back point.

Now take your neck ribbing, and unfold the folds you pressed in. Now find the middle point, and mark it with a pin. Then find the middle point of each side. (or the 1/4 point) Mark with a pin. You should have 3 points marked.

Now pin the ribbing to the neckline. (right sides together) Match up the center point with the sewn shoulder seam. Then match up each 1/4 point with the center front and center back of the top. Then match up the edges of the ribbing with the edge of the neck line. You will notice the ribbing is smaller than the neckline. This is fine.

Sew the ribbing to the neckline following the top crease. Stretch the ribbing to fit as you sew. Stretching as you sew is what ensures that it will be able to stretch over the head without busting a seam.  I sew this part with a straight seam.

Now place right sides together and sew the top edge of the ribbing down across the shoulder.

Turn the top right side out. Double fold the ribbing along the same crease marks, so the folds are towards the inside of the neckline. Then stretching again as you sew, sew along the bottom edge to secure the ribbing in place.

Sometimes, I miss some of the fold in back the first run through, (it happens) so in this case I simply sew a second line to make sure I secure the fold. The double line is a nice look just make sure to stretch it both times or you won’t be able to get it over the head.

Now for the sleeves. Unfold the ribbing and sew it (right sides together) to the sleeve edge. Stretch as you sew. Repeat with the other sleeve as well.

Now with right sides together sew from the edge of the ribbing curve around the armpit and go down the side.

Now the same way you did the neck ribbing you will do the sleeves. (they are smaller so it it a little trickier, if you need you can fold them and sew before you sew up the sides.)

Press the interfacing to the bottom of the front piece. Then fold up the bottom edge 1″ and press then sew in place.

Then in the same way we have sewn the other ribbings add ribbing to the bottom of the onesie. Start at the bottom front edge (don’t sew along the fold) then go around the leg and back and around the other leg stopping at the other side of the front bottom piece. Stretch as you sew again.

Now for the snaps. I use the Dritz  Snap Fasteners in white, with the tool. They are easy and quick.  You place the bottom (white with spikes) in the tool then place your fabric on top where you want the snap to be. (center of the bottom front) Then press the first layer of the tool down to show the placement. Add the top snap piece. Then close the tool and hammer until it’s flat. Then you are done!

Add three snaps to the bottom front.

Then add three snaps along the ribbing of the bottom back and you are done with a Onesie!

Put the soft and comfy knit onesie on your baby and they will be as happy about it as you are.

Or at least they will look super cute in the one of a kind onesie with way better prints then you will find in the store.

And really who can resist little baby bums in onesies? I can’t and during the hot hot summer heat we call the onesie a whole outfit. But in the winter or colder weather, pants and a sweater are great to wear with it.

Now off to sew a dozen more for this growing little girl…

If you make some too add them to our flickr group I would LOVE to see them!